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iySlnAJl . 



CHARACTER, JUVENILE 
AND OTHER 

POEMS 



BY 



Levi Wilbur Pollard 



CHICAGO: 

LEVI WILBUR POLLARD 






THF LIBWAfiY OF 
CONOR ESS, 

T^i Cortce ReCSIvED 

NOV. fp 190? 

5 ^ S- ^ / 



COPYRIGHTED 1902 
LEVI WILBUR POLLARD 



Foster & Lidell, Sparta, Wis., Illustrators 
A. DoNOHUE & Co., Chicago, Printers Binders and 
Publishers 



ANNOUNCEMENT. 

M. A. DonoJttie"& Co. announce a new 
book of Poems by Levi Wilbur Pollard of 
Wisconsin. Pollard is as unique and in- 
teresting as are his poems. He is a lawyer 
by profession, a successful leader in politics. 
They elected him district attorney in Iowa 
County, expecting to have things done as 
they should direct; but Pollard proved to 
have ideas of his own and a sense of justice 
that would not brook interference. Then 
his political influence secured him an ap- 
pointment to the Indian Territory. The 
solitude and monotony of the life stirred 
the poet in him, and his best things were 
written there. "If I was Teachin' Skool," 
"I Like Her and Tommy, Too." "The Old 
Arkansaw," etc. He is a fellow with ideas 
of his own and says things, some funny, 
some serious, and some really poetic. 

Levi Pollard has many admirers and 
warm friends, especially in his own state. 



4 ANNOUNCEMENT. 

As district attorney when they used to call 
on him for a speech, he fired original red 
hot dactylic pentameters at them that kept 
them in a roar of laughter. "If I was 
Teachin' Skool" is brim full of horse sense 
and sound philosophy. "I Like Her and 
Tommy, Too " is a gem, and many will buy 
the book to get that poem alone. "The 
Old Arkansaw" is a fine bit of verse, and 
there are others. 

He says, " You may call it what you like, 
poetry, blank verse or prose. It is what I 
thought and what I said, why doctor it 
up for the critics?" If literature should 
reveal the man, I guess he is right after all. 
When you have read Levi Pollard's poems 
you will know the man as his friends know 
him. 

No pains or expense have been spared 
by the publishers in the make-up of the 
book. The illustrations are very attract- 
ive and novel. 

F. E. DOTY. 



CONTENTS. 

PACE 

" If I was Teachin' Skool." ii 

" Old Arkansaw " 23 

That's the Way to Do 31 

Just Natural 35 

Practice What You Preach 41 

Jewelry Man 47 

Love's Army 51 

She is of Age To-day 59 

I Like Her and Tommy, Too 67 

That's Me 73 

I Won 77 

Let Me Do Right 89 

Say, Old Glory — Say, Would You?. . 93 

Little Owaissa, the Cherokee 97 

In Our Day loi 

They Will All be Dead 105 

Like Her 109 

No Place Like Thi^. iii 

Vat Makes Dem Do Dot? 115 

A Boy Again 117 

What Do We Want? 127 

5 



6 CONTENTS. 



PAGE 



Something You Don't Count On. . . . 133 

Mother's Best Society 137 

The Dreamer's Awakening 141 

Wooden Bridges 157 

I Cried Myself to Sleep Last Night. . 159 

Little Rosa Lee 165 

Josiah's Excuse 167 

Elocutionary Man 173 

American Knight 179 

Talking Out Loud . . 185 

My Love 189 

Youth 197 

Time to Kill 203 

Lovers on the Phone 205 

The Priest 211 

When Friends are Dead 209 

Name the Baby After Me 213 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 

PAGE 

Levi Wilbur Pollard 2 

Levi Wilbur Pollard, in Character. . . 9 

If I was Teachin' Skool 14 

That's What I would Do? 20 

She Was the Child of the Red Man. . 26 

Two Graves on the Old Arkansaw. . . 29 

Wasn't Up last night Parson 40 

Will Ruin Many a Little One 43 

Love's Army 50 

Song of Love 54 

Angel of Spring 58 

I'll Always Love You Just the Same. 62 

I Get in his Buggy 70 

'Round that Old Cracked Stove. ... 79 

Come Near Me, John 86 

Say, Old Glory— Say, Would You? . . 91 

Little Owaissa 99 

Ah, My, at First I Couldn't Speak . . no 

Vat Makes Dem Do Dot ? 113 

Ain't I Glad I'm Back Here Again . . 121 

I'd Offer Them a Little More Pay. . . 129 

7 



8 ILLUSTRATIONS. 



PAGE 



Half Dreaming, Half Thinking of Life. 140 

'Nd Drank in the Sunshine 146 

Little Rosa Lee 163 

Heard Some Boys Tellin' 173 

The American Knight 177 

In the Parlor they were Seated 182 

In the Sunshine of Life. 190 

You Who Fight Sin Hand to Hand. . 192 

Woman of Beauty 194 

Youth 199 

Name the Baby After Me ....,.. = .. 215 




Levi Wilbur Pollard, in character 



IF I WAS TEACHING SKOOL. 

Mr. Professor-teacher, I brought Bill in 

to-day : 
I suppose you're the one that runs things 

here, and the man who takes the 

pay? 
That feller out there sawin' wood showed 

me all around, 
'Nd I was mightily taken up with him, 

and all the things I found ; 
'Nd if you run the shebang inside, like 

he does out there, 
Then if Billy can 't get his lessons, he must 

be dull, I swear. 
Now ]\Ir. Professor -teacher, it's this here 

way, you know, 
Billy went down to Jimson's deestrick 'til 

'bout three months ago, 
When that er superintendent lad cum 

down to the house one day, 
Give Billy them er papers, 'nd said we 

should send him away. 
11 



12 IF I WAS TEACHIN' SKOOL. 

Now I'm goin' to tell you, teacher, just 

what I would do 
If I was teachin' skool, w-e-1-1, say — just 

like you. 



Now Mr. Professor-teacher, I really don't 

pretend 
To say what book-larnin' you should give 

him, but his outside life attend. 
I've sorter kep an eye on these here chaps 

who go 
'Way off ter skool, 'nd larn more things 

than they railly orter know. 
I s'pose you think it kinder queer, why 

I'm so keerful o' him, 
But I've larned a heap o'things sence I 

made a lawyer o' Jim. 
Jim is very bright 'nd kind — we heerd 

from him to-day; 
A letter from New York that cum: "Yes, 

mother, I'll mend my way." 
Don't understand me Jim is bad, I won't 

have that at all. 
But he keeps that kind o' company, if he 

don't let up, he'll fall. 




If I was teachin' skool. 



IF I WAS TEACHIN' SKOOL. 15 

I understand Mr. Professor, that yer 

teachin' is all right 
By day, but I'd look aft'r 'em at night. 
That's what I'd do, if I was teachin' skool, 

w-e-1-1, say, just like you. 



You take a feller just like Billy, when he 

first gits into town, 
He's too apt to go upon the street, just to 

look around. 
Now if I wanted to ruin Billy and start 

him wrong at first, 
I'd mix him up with that street gang; of 

all crowds that's the worst. 
What do you hear upon the street? Jest 

common talk an' blow; 
Some feller tellin' 'bout a game they played 

ten years ago. 
'Fore that feller finishes, another feller 

starts. 
An' tells 'bout some prize fight — he's got 

it down by heart. 
'Nd now its gettin' little too warm — the}^ 

move jest with the sun; 
They're in time fer the street orator, his 

new lecture he's begun. 



i6 IF I WAS TEACHIN' SKOOL. 

You can go an' hear him free, he won't 

charge you I am sure. 
He's telhn' how the rich grows rich, an' 

how the poor grows poor. 
He's posted on all subjects, from a star 

down to a gnat, 
But how these fellows all do live, that's 

what I've wondered at. 
Their language is the choicest, an' of a 

brimstone hue, 
'Nd if a lady pass that way, why, she's the 

subject, too. 
I got patience with a man who v/orks, 

when he commits some little crime. 
But fer them er street loafers, God knows 

I've got no time. 
Keep 'em away from that er gang; that's 

what I would do. 
If I wuz teachin' skool, w-e-1-1, say, jest 

like you. 



It kinder seems to me this way 'bout raisin' 

up a lad ; 
When he's a doin' somethin' good, there's 

no cliance to be bad. 



IF I WAS TEACHIN' SKOOL. 17 

When I speak o' somethin' good, its not 

workin' him all day; 
Fer I should give a boy like him a lot o' 

wholesome play. 
'Nd if he's time to play base-ball, er run 

er jump er race. 
Jest let him do any of 'em, if he can fill 

the place. 
But when it comes to kickin' ball, or ruther 

legs, you know, 
I'd ruther have him jest look on — fer that 

hurt Jimmy so. 
'Nd I'd get up entertainments that'd make 

'em laugh an' smile; 
Fer where you've got all kinds of fun, why, 

there you've got the child. 
I'd keep 'em laffin' an' feelin' good, fer 

then they can work their best, 
Fer after a hard day's work, I know no 

better rest. 
That's what I'd do, if I wuz teachin' skool, 

w-e-1-1, say, jest like you. 

'Nd another thing I'd put into his little 

mind ; 
That the majority of people are honest 'nd 

are kind. 



i8 IF I WAS TEACHIN' SKOOL. 

'Nd I'd pick out them er fellers, who'se 

been tried through 'nd through, 
'Nd show no man has been great unless 

he has been true. 
'Nd when some poor feller bein' had kinder 

slipped astray, 
Tell him to speak kindly to him, it may 

help him back some day. 
Tell him never to snub his parents, fer 

he'll find in no other place 
A voice jest like his mother's — a face jest 

like her face. 
'Nd if he's gone from us three years, er 

even a longer while. 
No ma iter what his success has been, I 

wanter see that smile. 
Tell him them er fellers who git smarter 

than their dad. 
Never fill the best positions, and wind up 

with the bad. 
I know you'll tell him all this, but I'd inv 

press it too. 
If I wuz teachin' skool, w-e-1-1, say, jest 

like you. 




That's what I would do. 



IF I WAS TEACHIN' SKOOL. 21 

When Billy goes out fer himself, I want 

fer him ter speak 
To every man that earns his bread, 'nd 

helps the poor 'nd weak. 
'Nd if I see him doin' that,'nd see him fail 

to climb, 
I'll back him up fer all I'm worth, it's 

bound to win in time. 
'Nd if he gets to flirtin', 'nd broke up with 

the fever, 
Jest tell him it's all right outside, but in 

skool he must leave her, 
'Nd after I got 'em finished up, I'd be glad 

'nd sad I know — 
I'd be glad to see 'em finish but I'd be 

sad to see em' go: 
Now, teacher, to be honest, aint yer felt 

the self same way 
When you see yer scholars leavin' skool, 

aint yer smiled a tear away ? 
Aint you felt that sadness growin' when 

you went back in the room? 
Aint yer heerd the silence quotin', "Billy's 

gone so soon?" 
Sounded kinder like a voice comin' from 

the tomb. 



22 IF I WAS TEACHIN SKOOL. 

I'd put my arm around 'm, 'nd then I'd 

tell 'm, to 
Pick out the work you like the best; don't 

let 'em discourage you; 
Now, that's what I'd do if I waz teachin' 

skool, w-e-1-1, say, jest like you. 



"OLD ARKANSAW." 

I have read of beautiful rivers, 

How softly and sweetly they flow, 
Gathering each little streamlet, 

Laughingly onward they go; 
I have heard how silvery moonlight 

Kisses each ripple with glee, 
'Till I dreamed that the Rhine and the 
Weser 

Were gentler than any we see . 
Ah, let the word-gilding artist 

Paint me the waters I saw 
Last night as the fairies were dancing 

On the banks of the old Arkansaw. 



So fresh and so sweet were the breezes 
Wafting their fragrance to me, 

Which had been silently stolen 

While passing wild flower and tree, 

The dreaming of my childhood 
Kept flowing through my brain, 

23 



24 "OLD ARKANSAW." 

Till I was a boy with rod in hand 

Fishing just as plain: 
Transcendant stood I watching 

The red man and his squaw 
Drifting down with the current 

Of the placid "Old Arkansaw.' 



Last night as I stood by the river 

It seemed that all I held dear 
Had drifted away and beyond me 

And I should soon disappear: 
Maybe 'tis life's early stages, 

A child — a boy and a man 
Mingling their beautiful memories 

With the clear and bright waters that 
ran, 
That likens it unto the homestead: 

In our eyes there's never a flaw, 
In the way that God has designed it. 

May be so with the "Old Arkansaw." 



On the same spot I was standing 
I stood there once before 

And told my love to a maiden 
Under the old svcamore. 



y 




"OLD ARKANSAW." 27 

She was a child of the red man, 

Schooled by the white pioneer 
When the vanities of civilized life 

Were entirely wanting here. 
Her great dark eyes bespoke the heart 

Melted by love's thaw, 
Which comes but once in every life 

Like ours on the ' * Old Arkansaw. ' ' 



The ripples made by the fishes 

Darting here and there, 
Seem to move with the gentleness 

Of her waving raven hair; 
Her soul has floated far beyond 

Into a grander light, 
Our children, too, are far away. 

Like the waters I saw last night; 
And soon I must be moving. 

According to "biblical law. 
It will please us to see from Jordan's bank 

Two graves on the " Old Arkansaw." 



THAT»S THE WAY TO DO. 

I don't care — I think it's mean 

For my ma-ma to say 
I'se never meant to be a girl — 

Because of my rough way ; 
Pa said, "The Creator knew his biz 

When he sent me — never fear" — 
I always go with my pa-pa; 

Ma says I've got him by the ear, 

I like pa the best of the two, 
He just laughs and says — 

"That's the wav to do." 



When I'm at school I play with Will 

'Nd all his chums as well, 
'Nd when I hit the ball, 

You'd orter hear 'em yell — 
"Get there, Tom!" that's what they say; 

My sure enough name is Fan; 
I wonder when I'm bigger 

Will they take me for a man? 

31 



32 THAT'S THE WAY TO DO. 

Ma says, " Don't play fer it's naughty 
to:" 
Pa just laughs and says — 
"That's the way to do." 



Willie's just ten years old, 

I'll be twelve this here July — 
'Nd the boys picked on our Will 

But you just bet I made 'em fly. 
Ma says, "It's awful wrong to fight 

And make her feel so bad" — 
I'd giv 'em worse than a bloody nose, 

But a bat was all I had ; 

Ma said, " That's the worst I've heard 
of you. 

Pa just laughed and said — 
"That's the wav to do." 



Our Nell has been to college. 
Wish she'd go — and stay; 

Always plaguin' me to wash 
'Nd dress a different way. 

She makes me tell my prayers 
'Fore I jump in bed; 



THAT'S THE WAY TO DO. 



33 



Guess the Lord can hear through clothes- 

My feet is cold — I said; 

Nell told ma and pa too, 
Pa just laughed and said — 

"That's the way to do." 



Can you tell what NelHe meant, 

When she came from Jones' tea? 
Wish all the folks were like our Fan, 

Free from all hy-poc-ri-sy ; 
With the lamp turned low last night, 

Softly smiling in her dreams. 
How nice it is to know 

She's exactly what she seems; 

I won't scold her any more — ma will 
you? 
Pa just laughed and kissed our Nell 

And said, "You oughtn't to." 



JUST NATURAL. 

I stood and watched the swarming crowd, 
Seemingly restless, and clamoring loud. 
For some one to open the great hall door, 
Which soon was packed — 'twould hold no 

more. 
The electrical spark spelled out the name 
Of some wonderful person of national fame. 
What is it that makes one person so great ? 
Some say they are lucky — attribute to fate. 
Others say it is work that makes them ex- 
cel; 
But I sometimes think it is "just natural. " 

I listened to a minister that all the world 

has heard. 
His discourse was simple — but true every 

word. 
He told us our duty in such a nice way — 
"That is correct" — each would mentally 

say. 

35 



36 JUST NATURAL. 

But let our own minister say it was so, 
We'd make it so warm, he'd soon have to go. 
Study and work may help him to tell. 
But with him I am sure it was "just 
natural. " 

At the Opera a young girl was making her 

debut, 
Her part was a minor, like every one that's 

new. 
The leading lady's cultured tones receive 

the usual hand — 
She was cast to favor, and, of course, it 

sounded grand. 
A thrill went through that audience — 

dreamland seemed so near. 
When the tender, young, sweet voice rang 

out so soft and clear. 
A factory girl was made a star, so I heard 

them tell, 
By that siren of her voice — that was "just 

natural. " 

Haven't you sat in awe while ponderous 

wheels have turned 
With the accuracy of time, that some great 

mind had learned. 



JUST NATURAL. 37 

The touching of a button seems to start the 
world along, 

We can hear the Great discourse, the ar- 
tist's gladdening song. 

By one brain the world is brought into 
closest touch; 

We might apply ourselves for years and 
not accomplish much. 

Along that line we're not adept — but on 
the pinnacle, 

Edison works with such ease because its 
"natural. " 

Shakespeare never wrote his plays it has 
oft been said, 

He never graduated, he was wicked and 
unread. 

But great and grand that primer in his 
childish "hand, 

Only one was published — only one could 
understand. 

Reading in his pages — like looking in a 
well — 

The reflection of ourselves seems so "nat- 
ural. " 



38 JUST NATURAL. 

My friends don't think, they pass their 

time dreaming vagrantly, 
They're so in love with what they do, it is 

a pleasantry. 
My boy and girl, the world can't know 

every one of you. 
Those who climb the heights are so very few. 
But in every walk of life the same rule holds 

good. 
We can climb much higher and faster, if 

we would 
Do the things we like to do, and do them 

well, 
Then success will come to us, "just as 

natural. " 




Wasn't up last night, Parson. 



PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH. 

Wasn't up last night, Parson, 

Ain't missed for many a year 
To listen to his mighty words, 

'Nd them old hymns so dear. 
I've been going around of late 

To every church in town. 
Just a-listenin' — kinder listenin', 

To see what each has found 
'Bout savin' of the human race 

That others overlooked 
By their short-sightedness in readin' 

The self same book. 
'Nd I have been droppin' in 

To every Sunday School 
To see if people teachin' children, 

Follow the Golden Rule. 
I've found out successful preachers 

Put true thought in their speech, 
And after vSunday's over 

Practice what they preach, 

41 



42 PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREA.CH. 

Tell you what I found out Parson 

'Bout a church that's strong, 
Don't neglect the little children 

And wait 'til they are wrong — 
Like we do with our children 

Just by pure carelessness. 
The teachers in our Sunday School, 

Why, I will confess, 
Are doin' the best they can, 

But they ain't made no study of a child 
And do not understand 

That everything they do and say 
Impress that little brain. 

Don't care 'bout your preachin' aftei- 
Might as well just pray fer rain. 

PeaJrs like to me we should start 
Right at the fountain head. 

And we can't be too careful, Parson, 
'Bout what is done and said, 

Fer them little 'uns are sharp as tacks, 
And them 'er who teach 

Will ruin many a little one 
Les' they practice what they preach. 




Will luin many a little one. 



PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH. 45 

I'v lieerd you tell your congregation, 

And I believe you would 
Rather talk to them 'er folks 

Where 3^ou can do most good. 
But ain't it kinder natural, Parson, 

Fer ter want to stay 
'Nd think you can do most good 

AVhere you receive most pay? 
Don't them 'er fine-haired people 

W^ho have churches of their own, 
Don't w^ant ter mix up with common folks 

'Nd rather be alone. 
Don't they give yer a little extra, 

Ain't particular with the price, 
When ye' ease up on your sermon 

'Nd say things that are nice — 
Just to please 'em?— 

Ain't ye' afraid you'd offend 'em 
If you said just wdiat ye thought? 

You've got no power with 'em, Parson, 
Cause they re'lize 3^ou'r bought; 

Don't you know they'll respect you 
If you say just what ye mean? 

Don't you know the highest pay is 
When the heart's made pure and clean? 

Go after them rich fellers, Parson. 



46 PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH. 

Tell 'em the Scriptures teach 
"The righteous should consider 

The cause of the poor, " 

And to practice what you preach. 



I have come to the conclusion 

'Bout this whole church affair, 
We'r all doin' a little preachin' 

And we'r doin' it everywhere. 
Some don't even do no talkin', 

But their work is one grand song, 
Per their doin' as Christ has bid them, 

Jest a helpin' the weak along. 
That feller who treats your sister jest 

The same as his own — 
Don't you think he's jest repeatin' 

The Saviour's words in an undertone! 
Teachin' religion is a fel]ow feelin', 

Not fine sermons put in speech. 
We'd soon find the world converted, 

If we practiced what we preach. 



JEWELRY MAN. 

When only a boy, 
No whiskers and coy, 

When sister made my long pants. 
Me and pa went to town — 
"Take a dollar — go 'round," 

He wanted to give me a chance. 

"Be back here by three," 
He said unto me, 

As I left — a man in the street 
Just started to hollar, 
And we did all f oiler, 

'Nd he shouted out from his seat. 

"Good neighbor come nigh, 
A dollar can buy, 

Gold watch and chain — diamond pin- 
Glass cutter — silver set — 
Lots more — I forget — 

And then he whacked all "of 'em in. 

47 



48 JEWELRY MAN. 

With dollar in hand, 
I purchased and ran 

To show pa what I had bought. 
He laughed and did say, 
"You've got lots — anyway, 

Whether they're lasting or not. " 
The watch stopped next day. 
The gold faded away, 

My pop-bottle diamond was glass 
"A Jay Gould!" said Nan, 
The great business man ! ' ' 

The boys all called me an ass. 



Of course I felt bad. 
But since I've been glad, 

For now when I see a great chance, 
In front of me stands 
That same Jewelry man, 

The first time I wore my long pants. 




Love's Army. 



LOVE'S ARMY. 

Fair one tell me if sweet nature, 

With your beauty, has combined 
To intensify all grandeur 

Just to keep your face in mind. 
Did the things that feed love's passion 

Congress secretly with you, 
All agreeing — all delighted 

To play a part — to help you through? 



Before that you had met me, 

Did you tell the golden dawn 
To brighten up all nature 

So that fate would coax me on, 
'Till he brought me without thinking 

Where you bound me w^ith a glance ? 
Then on gentle smiles you fed me, 

'Till I slumebred in love's trance. 



51 



52 LOVE'S ARMY. 

Did the rarest charms of Venus 

Give you extra grace, 
Did the God above add goodness, 

To brighten up your face? 
Then did you awake me, 

Let me wander from your sight, 
And when I would forget you. 

Did you whisper to Twilight 
To do your entertaining 

For just a little bit? 
Then hand me over to the stars, 

After they were lit? 

Did they shine so by agreement, 

With that luster that seemed new ? 
Did every one agree, sweet love. 

To make me think of you? 
Did you tell the twinkling canopy 

To take me by the hand, 
And give me to old Morpheus, 

Where I saw you in dreamland? 

Was Springtime at your meeting? 

Did she ask a leading part. 
And say she'd make more fragrant, 

Each flower to charm the heart? 




■Songs of Love. 



LOVE'S ARMY. 55 

Did she say that she would take me, 

Where the golden sun-god sank, 
And let me gaze on her sweet face, 

From yonder mossy bank? 
Did you plan the scene together. 

Then pick an April eve. 
To let my poor eyes feast a moment 

On charms — that will not leave? 



Did you deaden a few branches, 

That the rest might look the greener, 
And sink all nature in the brook, 

To make it look the cleaner? 
Did all the birds sing for you 

Their sweetest roundelay^ 
AVas it for you they washed their plumage 

For you they looked so gay? 



Did you send the roses after me 

When I ran from you ? 
And when they could not catch me 

Did vou tell the violets to? 



56 LOVE'S ARMY. 

Call in your merry helpers, 

O! Cupid, they've been true; 
They found me, bound me with love's 
chains. 

And brought me here to you. 
Assemble all together. 

Flower, field and brook. 
The bird, the stars, the fairyland, 

All charming things that took 
Part in my captivity 

In this triumphant scene — . 
While I surrender to my love, 

Of beauty you are queen. 
Put me in love's prison, 

For there I fain would dwell 
With you — a whole life's term, 

Let your own heart be my cell. 



y^ 




Angel of Spring. 



SHE IS OF AGE TODAY 

I just got back from that 'ere town, 
AVhere th' darned old street car chased 

me down. 
Nell didn't know I'd gone, or why I went 

away — 
T'was to buy her a golden bracelet, 

Fer she is of age today. 
Nell — is my only daughter, 

'Nd only child at home, 
When Sam and Bill become of age, 

I looked fer them to roam. 



But when I-wus ridin' home today, 

Thought after thought did pour, 
'Bout young girls who come of age. 

Especially them that's poor. 
My heart went out fer them pore souls 

Who clerk from morn till night, 
Their pay's so small — their sex so weak, 

Temptations far from right. 

59 



6o SHE IS OF AGE TO-DAY. 

You who have a daughter, 

And her mother taken away, 
Have felt the love and pain I felt, 

As I rode along today. 
A casket covered with roses, 

Some earth that was dropped with a 
prayer. 
Poor Sam and Bill was kissen' — 

To still little Nellie's awful despair. 
Yes, Stranger, it's six years ago, 

Since she was laid to rest, 
Aint raised Nell same as dear wife would, 

But Lord knows I've done my best. 



She finished our deestrick school — at home, 

Went to college with Sam and Bill; 
'Nd fer three straight years she took music. 

And her diligence paid all the bill. 

An' I tell you she worked with a will. 
Them letters and smiles and her lovin' 

caress, 
Have been my only sunshine. 

Since her dear mother's death. 




" I'll always love you just the same." 



SHE IS OF AGE TO-DAY. 63 

But I hav'n't told ye all — my friends, 

That I have brought to her — 
What do ye think of that seal-skin 

That I paid a hundred fer? 
A week ago to-night she said — 

"Daddy — I have — a surprise" 
With her little arms around my n€;ck, 

And kisses to blind mv eves. 



"You are the dearest Daddy, 

In all this world I know, 
I've told you of my love for Will, 

But a father's blessing should go. 
Don't you know, dear Daddy, 

That next ^londay I'll be of age? 
I'll always love you just the same. 

Shall I — say, shall I engage? 



" There is your kiss, and I'm happy, 

Since you hugged me so. 
It's a lovin' way — you have to consent, 

When the lump in your throat seems 
to grow. 



64 SHE IS OF AGE TO-DAY. 

We'll both come a week from to-night 

And take you by the hand. 
Sam and Will is coming too — 

Look up — say won't that be grand? 

"There, Daddy, please don't cry no more, 

I know it's hard to part. 
You know that a girl's life is love, 

Soft and mellow the music that first 
touches the heart. 
Daddy you've seen young lives failing, 

Some even reckless and bad. 
Don't censure — they 're objects of pity, 

They've been robbed of some grand love 
they had 

"Lean on my shoulder, dear Daddy, 

Put your face nearer to mine. 
Don't you know I've been talking to 
mama — 
Not dreaming but something divine — 
She said, 'Every girl with a life that is 
shattered, 
Has offered a prayer soft and low, 
For that wretch who has left broken 
hearted 
One soul to drift here below.' 



SHE IS OF AGE TO-DAY. 65 

"She said, 'That man won't prosper, 

No matter how much he may own. 
His pleasures are only the seeming, 

And the true man is sad and alone.' 
Kiss me before I retire, 

With that love that's now all aglow. 
Then pray for us all, dear Daddy, 

With that love I have just come to 
know." 



I LIKE HER AND TOMMY, TOO. 

I'ln seven years old, you know, 

An' ril be older when I grow. 

An' be as big as Tommy White, 

Who wuz a rag- tag an' could fight ; 

Fer when Joe Suthers picked on me, 

Tommy said, "Look here, you let 'im be." 

Tommy said he didn't care 

If I licked Joe, but 'twasn't fair 

Fer him to lick and pull my hair; 

An' teacher licked him fer lickin' me, 

An' Iz uz glad uz I could be, 

'Cause I like her an' Tommy, too, 

W-e-1-1, w-o-u-l-d-n-'-t y-o-u? 



Sum boys don't like their teacher, any 'tall, 
S'pose that's 'cause she makes 'em bawl. 
I wish she'd whip me, too, when I am bad, 
'Stead a kissin' me, and make me sad. 
Other day she said, "Willie, you spell cow," 

67 



68 I LIKE HER AND TOMMY, TOO. 

All of 'em laffed when I said, "I don't 

know how. " 
And then I cried, an' teacher come an' 

smoothed my hair, 
And kissed me some, an' pointed to a cow 

picthir that wuz there ; 
She said, "you can spell this now?" 
And Tommy whispered " C-o-w, " "Cow," 
An' her an' Tommy helped me through, 
An' I like her an' Tommy, too, 
W-e-1-1, wo-u-l-d-n-'-t y-o-u? 



Teacher lives with us, you see ; 

Th' boys say it's why she's good to me. 

Pa said, "She's old 'nuff to scare, " 

An' ma said, " If she was young and pretty 
she couldn't live there;" 

An' I tell'm she's the bestest teacher every- 
where. 

Last supper time — "How old are you?" I 
said. 

An' pa looked an' said, " Shut up ! or go to 
bed." 

She looked at ma and said, "Please pass 
th' bread;" 



I LIKE HER AND TOMMY, TOO. 71 

Ma looked at pa, and passed the cake in- 
stead ; 

An' then Tommy come fer me to go to the 
show, 

An' teacher give me ten cents, an' ma said, 
"Let him go. " 

An' I didn't go to bed, but we flew; 

An' I like her an' Tommy, too; 

W-e-1-1, w-o-u-l-d-n-'-t y-o-u? 

A feller here last Sunday what's her beau; 
He's got fast horses an' makes 'em go. 
Pa called him Tom, and I did, 
"Call him Mister White, little boy like 

you. ' ' 
I get in his buggy and take his whip and 

play. 
While pa helps him unhitch and take his 

team away. 
When he comes teacher takes her hair 
Down, an' puts it on her head where it's 

bare; 
An' I see her every week 
Take some flour an' put right on her cheek. 
'Hm, but she didn't fool him, he could tell 
'Twas her, for he knowed her dress so well ; 



7 2 1 LIKE HER AND TOMMY, TOO. 

An' I went in the parlor, an' she 

Took me right up and kissed me : 

He said to her he wished he's small; 

I telled him I wished I uz tall, 

An' she telled me where 's some nuts to 

crack 
Out in the kitchen, an' he give me a quarter 

an' said, " Come back — 
Next — Sunday," and he'd give me two; 
An' I like her an' her Tommy, too, 
W-e-1-1, w-o-u-l-d-n-'-t y-o-u? 



\ 



THAT'S ME. 

You've all met homesick people, 

Somewhere in life's run, 
Who wanted to see their dear folks. 

You roast them— just for fun. 
One poor fellow — was so sick 

That he nearly died, 
Actually, it was a fact, 

That great big baby cried. 
Who was that awful booby? 

First you promise me. 
That you'll never, never tell- 

Thev say he looks like me. 



You all know young men 
Who haven't got a "sou". 

Now they take the other street, 
Because they're owing you. 

I know a trifling fellow, 

Who touched every one he met, 

73 



74 THAT'S ME. 

And when he saw them coming, 
You ought to see him get. 

Who was that striking fellow? 
First, you promise me, 

That you'll never, never tell — 
Why, he resembles me. 



Haven't you known softies 

Who do nothing else but spoon' 
Of all disgusting people 

I believe it is that "loon " . 
He spends all his time 

Like a little pup; 
He seems to think to win a girl 

He has to just gum up. 
Who is that brainless cur? 

Girls — you promise me. 
That you'll never, never tell — 

Then take a look at me. 

Haven't you known people 

As perfect as the day ? 
When anything is going wrong, 

It's your fault, they will say, 
I know just such a person; 

What he does is right, 



THAT'S ME. 7 5 

Looking at the world, you know, 

According to his light. 
Now don't you ever, ever tell 

Whatever else you do, 
My Christian friend, don't you think 

That person may be you.f* 



I WON. 

Well, neighbors, since I've been called on 

To make a little speech, 
I'll show you I've always got one 

Right in the proper reach. 
Don't fret to think it's lengthy, 

Fer this here concern; 
Fer I want to tell you, kind people, 

We've all got lots to learn. 
You've heerd 'em lecture on success 

In a rented suit of clothes, 
But when I talk they must lay down, 

'Tis the practical thing that goes. 
And a little sketch of my own life 

Will be just as good to you 
As some of them 'ere fellers 

Who've been dead a century or two. 
Fer every game that I have played 

Fer marbles or fer fun, 
Just ask the folks around our place 

'Nd they'll tell you that I won. 

77 



78 I WON. 

When I was back there on the farm 

Where we work eight months, you know; 
There was four months for our schoolin' 

But we had our nights — to grow ; 
I can see the scholars standin' 

Round that old cracked stove so plain, 
Can see the rags stuck in the winders 

Fer to stop the snow and rain; • 
Can hear the teacher savin' yet, 

There's a prize to give away 
To him or her who speaks the best 

On Friday — the last day. 
*Twasn't a minute 'fore I said 

" I can beat any person there 
Unless it be that Sally Brown 

Who spoke at the County fair. " 
'Twas Sal and I fer it 

And so we did agree 
We'd pick a judge apiece 

'Nd the teacher — she'd be three. 
Now you can see the practical 

To show that I'm not slow. 
I picked Jennie Young — not fer her wit, 

But Sally took her beau; 
The next thing on the program 

It was plain fer me to do, 




Scholars standin' 'round that old cracked stove, 



I WON. 8i 

Was to honey up that teacher, 

'Nd I did it — proper too. 
There was a dance and two big shows 

In town that week — and so, 
When I asked if I could take her 

Girl-Hke she didn't say no. 
That schoolma'am weighed just ninety 
pounds 

Countin' her glasses and false hair — 
I told her how I hate big girls, 

And her complexion was all there. 
She said, "I'm just seventeen," 

'Nd I was too — plus one; 
Of course I didn't influence her, 

But on Friday — why, I won. 



Things got to movin' a little too slow 

Down on that farm for me, 
Thought I'd try town life awhile. 

That's why I'm here you see; 
Got a job down at Twister's mill, 

At the far end of the town. 
Fell in with some chaps 

'Nd at night we went around, 
'Nd like many other thoughtless boys 

With no particular place to go 



82 I WON. 

Went into one of them 'ere places 

Where there's looking glasses — you 
know. 
One night some fellers said to me, 

Come on, Rube, and take a hand, 
Told them 'twould be very foolish too 

Fer first I'd have to understand 
The game — one sharp said, 

"Go on, ye guy. " Guess 3^ou are your 
mother's son. 
That feller stayed in several days 

They call me boss, cause I Won. 
That kind o' weighed on me awhile. 

Fer it was different than m.other taught. 
That is, I'm sorry 'bout goin' in. 

Didn't care — cause I fought. 
And after that when them boys 

Come fer me to go 
To them 'ere places 

I give 'em a talk 'nd told 'em " No. 
I've noticed that yer all kind boys, 

Like ye all — 'tis true— I do, 
'Spose ye all got mothers, boys, 

If ye ain't — I pity you. 
Now if some person should come along 

And hurt her feelin's in any way, 



I WON. 83 

Wouldn't you take the rashest means 

Fer that insult to repay? 
Don't you know, now boys — be square — 

'Twould hurt your mother 
To know yer there? 

And another thing, we all do think 
We're not the ones that's going to the 
brink ; 

Ah, boys ! wiser heads than us have fell. " 
That's all I said, fer we all knew well 

And did agree that we could find 
Some better place to spend our time. 

"Now boys," I said, "last night, 
I found some people who 

Have rented some rooms 
'Nd furnished 'em, too. 

With books and papers fer every one, 
Th' grave, th' gay, th' old, th' young. 

Some are serious, and some are fun. " 
It seemed but a little thing 

But that night we begun; 
Went down to them rooms, that changed 
three lives ; 

In after vears, I count I won. 



84 I WON. 

But it wasn't all of readin' 

That attracted of me there, 
But who she was that sat across 

I inquired everywhere ; 
Can't say that she was proud 

But stately, if you will, 
For she had that kind of dignity 

That wouldn't give you a chill; 
I noticed her fer months, 

'Nd sometimes I could see 
When I looked up quick, 

She kinder glanced at me; 
I thought it accidental, though. 

When she cast her eyes this way 
'Nd let it go, 'nd only said 

"She's a character in some grand play. 
Got to goin' to church 

Dressin' better all the time, 
Right in amongst the Christian folks 

I saw that face, she looked divine, 
'Nd then the congregation 

All 'rose up to sing. 
One voice was all that I could hear. 

Never '11 forget that ring. 
Ah, friend, don't smile, you've felt the 
same 

No matter where you've been; 




'■ Come near me, John.' 



I WON. 87 

You've heard a voice like evening chimes 

'Nd wished you didn't sin. 
Went into business fer myself, 

Made money on the raise of land, 
'Nd thirty years ago today. 

There was a wedding — nothing grand ; 
We sailed down the stream of life, 

Our love asked Providence for his care, 
'Nd fer nigh on twenty years. 

We were blessed with more'n our share. 
But one bright day ten years ago, 

Alas! that day, 'twas gentle Spring 
When the flowers begin to bud 

'Nd the birds begin to sing; 
She took her bed — a little cold 

We thought — we said, 
"She'll be better in a little while. " 

But how strange ! she read 
The Bible nearly all the while; 

And one day in the queerest tones 
I heard her say 

"Come near me John, call daughters too, 
I'm going away;" 

She told us not to feel so bad, 

For him who made our home so glad 
Here on earth had called her 



88 I WON. 

To that heavenly home 

Where we'd soon come 

No more to roam. 

She kissed us all, and bid farewell, 

Her life passed out like the golden sun 
We never speak of it as death. 

For in this life a heaven we won. 



\ 



LET ME DO RIGHT. 

Let me do right, e'en though I see 

The victors in the fight throwing stones at 

me. 
At sin's loud gun — my friends take fright; 
I must not run— let me do right. 

Let me do right, e'en though I know 
It sometimes grinds me to do so; 
When I see wrong with prospects bright, 
But 'twon't last long — let me do right. 

Let me do right, let me be strong 
When sin invites — to go along 
Where friends are gay and seem so bright; 
Help me to say, " Let me do right. " 

Let me do right, I know it's best; 

For short the night — to day of rest. 

Rest while we're here — where sin pays 

blight ; 
With conscience clear, let me do right. 



89 




Say, Old Glory— say. would you ? 



SAY, OLD GLORY— SAY, WOULD YOU? 

Old Glory — old Glory — see the great dense 

crowd, 
The bad is mixed up with the good — 

shouting just as loud. 
They are proclaiming in your sight, 
They all love you — just alike. 
Old Glory— old Glory — did I see you blush ? 
Old Glory — old Glory— did you tell them 

hush ? 
Old Glory — old Glory — can it reallv be 
That you are proud of some humanity? 
Do you ripple in the breeze 
For the miser who does squeeze 
From the widow her last cent, 
Till to the poor-house she is sent? 
Do you look so proud and grand 
For those who mock our law's command? 
If you could speak — would you say 
I wish you'd kindly stay away. 
You cause me grief — disgrace me, too. 
Say, old Glory — say, would you? 

93 



94 SAY, OLD GLORY. 

Old Glory — old Glory — high up in the city 
Floating higher than the rest, O, my — what 

a pity ; 
Floating o'er that massive store — 
Below you are but wretched poor; 
Working — slaving — all the day, 
Women — children, for such pay, 
With nought to live — much less to save, 
Their only hope is but the grave. 
Firms you're representing there. 
Ain't it more than you can bear. 
To see the wages that are paid ? 
Don't you think it does degrade 
Our brother, sister — ah, such price, 
Is mankind in a vice? 
If our forefathers only knew. 
You are floating for the few. 
Wouldn't they have cause to weep? 
If, old Glory, you could leap 
From the base, the untrue, 
Say, old Glory — Say, would you? 



Old Glory — old Glory — you seem so much 

at home. 
Waving proudly from the height of the 

great, white dome 



SAY, OLD GLORY. 95 

Of our glorious capitol — where the laws 

are made; 
The place to be fearless, never be afraid. 
To vote their honest conscience, as we all 

should, 
Voting for all mankind, voting for the good. 
Old Glory — old Glory — what do you see 
From your pinnacle? ah, such bartery! 
The lawmaker in your sight 
Acting under — "might is right. " 
If you could would you come down, 
And like the Christ, when he found 
In the temple all about 
Money-changers — and drove them out; 
Old Glory — old Glory — Don't you want to 

say, 
"You curse me, curse me every way; 
You disgrace my Red — my White — my 

Blue, 
Say, old Glory — say, would you? 



LITTLE OWAISSA, THE CHEROKEE. 

She's a little Indian maid, 
But you need not be afraid. 
Once I met her on the prairie, 
And she seemed so like a fairy. 
She's as fair as you or me, 
Little Owaissa, the Cherokee. 



Her eyes are coal, and nature sweet — 
]\Iay God guard her childish feet 
From all the snares in future day 
That she'll encounter on life's way. 
A childish face — such purity, 
Little Owaissa, the Cherokee. 

If she could only live and stay 
Brighter than the sun's gold ray, 
Witli a life that has no guile, 
She, who's but a living smile! 
Some day — say, will beaut}' flee 
From the little Cherokee? 

97 



98 LITTLE OWAISSA. 

Little Owaissa, say, if you 

Are always good, and kind and true 

To everybody — study — play— 

You will then be young alway, 

For youth is sweet simplicity 

Like Owaissa, my Cherokee. 




Little Owaissa, 



L.cfC. 



IN OUR DAY. 

Are you hopeless because you find 
The wheels of justice slowly grind? 
The little force that you exert 
Somewhere — sometime will wrong hurt ; 
Please don't give up and say, 
"It can never be, in our day." 

In days of yore think how they fought — 
A century of moulding seems but nought 
Each hero fought for you — for me 
In the common cause of libertv. 
Millions on the altar lay 
That right might reign "in our day." 

If we stop and only think 
That life is but a breath — a wink. 
Would you be as beasts that feed 
On human gore, while others bleed, 
But a moment to please the clay, 
Caring no further than our day? 



I02 IN OUR DAY. 

Learn, my friend, that in this life 
There's but one pleasure in the 

strife — 
It's adding to eternal light. 
Others are the dogs that fight; 
Like us, they eat — they sleep — they 

play- 
Like us they live "for our day." 



Great reformations were not begun. 
And by a generation won. 
How came our cherished liberty? 
Who set the great Republic free? 
Why — we are but a watery spray, 
That wears the rock — "in our dav. " 



What if we're the first to fall 
Unnoticed — the wearing seems so 

small ; 
Or might we be those little drops 
That sever the boulder, and see it 

drop ; 
Then to the first would we say, 
"See what we did, in our day." 



IN OUR DAY. 103 

Let's learn a lesson from the rock and rain, 
And each wash away a tiny grain 
Of granite wrong in our time. 
It will make each life sublime; 
Don't give up, don't dismay. 
Let's play our part, "in our day." 



THEY WILL ALL BE DEAD. 

Mamma put them all away, 

'Cause they aint a bit too many 
For there's lots more graves they say 

Keep every one, don't lose any. 
At school today teacher told 

'Bout soldiers — how they fought and 
bled. 
They're thinning fast and growing old, 

'Nd pretty soon "They'll all be dead. " 



When teacher was like us — so small 

'Nd marched with flowers in her hand, 
Same soldiers didn't bend at all 

'Nd marched up quick behind the band. 
They talked lots 'bout it then — 

Praised them that fought, 'nd them that 
bled. 
Maybe it makes 'em sadder now 

Just thinkin' soon "They'll all be 
dead. " 

105 



io6 THEY WILL ALL BE DEAD. 

Mamma — teacher felt so bad 

She talked to us — and cried, too. 
All of us felt so s-a-d, 

'Cause her own papa's grave is new. 
For every soldier we've got lots 

'Nd his we'll make a flower bed. 
For every grave Forget-me-nots, 

To brighten thoughts "When all are 
dead. " 



She said, the richest we could give 

Because they died — so much we owe, 
That the flowers of right might live. 

We pluck the richest buds that grow — 
Mamma put every one away. 

Kiss me now I am going to bed. 
We'll remember them Memorial Day — 

So will Jesus, "When all are dead." 



LIKE HER. 

I got an aunt, who's an old maid, 

She gives me lickin' — I ain't afraid; 

She teaches my Sunday School 'nd pray, 

She say I'll be an angel some day, 

I don't want to be an angel, not now, 

'Nd she ask me "How?" 

'Cause I want to grow big like you, 

'Nd be an old maid angel, too. 

My ma's cousin, where we go 

Every summer is a widow. 

She was so sad 'nd put black on, 

I ask her what for — "Poor uncle John." 

"Uncle John can't see cause he's dead." 

Ma felt awful bad 'bout what I said, 

She wears" nice things now, red and blue ; 

I heard her say to my ma, "Would you 

Think people would talk if I wear 

Colors?" Ma said, "No, nor I wouldn't 

care, 
'Cause John been dead for four months— 

then 

107 



lOJ 



LIKE HER. 



They whispered some 'bout other men. 
Guess they didn't want uncle to hear 'bout 

Mr. White, 
Who kissed her, last Sunday night. 
They don't think I know, cause I's told 
To go out, but I seen through the keyhole. 
I don't want to be like her when she's sad. 
But when Mr. White calls 'nd she's glad 
'Nd laughs, 'nd wears red and blue 
Why I want to be a widow, part the time, 

too. 





'•Oh, my, at lirst I couldn't speak." 



NO PLACE LIKE THIS. 

No place like home, Ma always said, 

You'll find it out when you are wed, 

She just hated my best beau, 

And one day — just told him so. 

And I cried 'till I couldn't see 

But we met — er — clandestinely. 

And one nice night when the moon didn't 

shine— 
I held his hand— er — er — he held mine. 
I said, "My darling, ain't this bliss? 
Home ain't in it compared with this. " 

But love, you know, will find a way. 
And Billy said, "Let's run away," 
' ' What ! leave my home ? O should I go ? " 
And yet I loved the poor boy so. 
Ah, my, at first I couldn't speak, 
"But, dearie, I get ten a week," 
I answered with a smacking kiss, 
"Let home flicker, ah, give me more of 
this. " 

111 



■Vat makes dem do dot." 



VAT MAKES DEM DO DOT ? 

Mine friend, I vas in love mit a yankee gal, 
I come from Yermany yust six years, 'nd 

make money pretty veil. 
Dot gal yust come into mine store, 'nd 

yust smile so sweet, 
I feel yust like all over, I like dot gal to 

meet. 
She buys somedings, "and to-night bring 

them up," and told me ver to go. 
Vat makes her do like dot? it's so funny 

like, you know. 



In der parlor she go right avay, and play so 

nice and sing, 
J3en — she talked so sweet und say der 

nicest ding 
x\bout me, she said it would be lonely 

after I vould go. 
Vat makes you girls do like dot? its funny 

like, you know. 

115 



ii6 VAT MAKES DEM DO DOT? 

After vile me go and set on der sofa — 

her beside, 
She told me, " O you mustn't,' ' but move — 

she don't tried. 
Only she move off closer, and I yust take 

one kiss, so sweet. 
She told me, "How dare you, the second 

time ve meet?'' 
I feel yust like von big fool, und told her 

never mind, 
"If you do der like again, why yust pull 

down der blind.' ' 
Dot vas acting awful queer, say don't you 

dink so? 
Vat makes you girls do dot? its so funny 

awful — you know. 



I get me team und buggy, take her to der 

teater — every vere , 
Giver her fine lots of presents, but you 

know I don't care, 
Me dink she be my frau — some day, but 

der's von ding I don't see 
Von oder feller use to call her "dear cousin" 

— she tolds me. 



VAT MAKES DEM DO DOT? 117 

She tolds me I look "Yust like no one, my 

own dear lovely Yake." 
Dot's me — me like not dot cousin, me dink 

I make von break. 
I say ' ' Mine dear, ve together dree years 

go. 
Vat makes you girls do like dot?" "It's 
so sudden, Yake you know." 



Der next time dot I called on her, vat you 

tink she say to me? 
She vas so sorry awful, but mine sister she 

vould be. 
How could dot be, now I don't see. 
Since I vas born, I said, "O you vant to 

adopt me?" 
I guess not — you yust go ahead. 
I get me von nice Yerman girl, und 

childrens yust a dozen. 
She gets married and divorced — from dot 

lovely cousin. 
Vat makes you girls do dot? I don't see, 

by Joel' 
You'd be happier mit twelve children 

den von divorce don't vou know. 



A BOY AGAIN. 

Here I am back in the school room 

again, 
Back with the boys who want to be 

men; 
'Nd there's my seat, 'nd you needn't to 

think 
Tain't easy to prove, cause it's covered 

with ink. 
Even the scrap paper's lyin' there yet — 
When teacher comes 'round I'll be sweepin' 

— you bet! 

And there's Susan Jones who came into 

town," 
Look at me whisper, 'nd see her turn 

round, 
Then straight at the teacher, she never 

did fail 
With a smile and a laugh — the little tell- 
tale. 

119 



I20 A BOY AGAIN. 

Aint me 'n Bill glad when it freeze 'n jes 

blow, 
Fer then she can't come, cause she's sickly, 

you know 
Then we tell our folks "we beat Jane 

to-day, " 
Tain't our business to tell 'em that Jane 

staid away. 

Say you won't tell if I tell — but that girl 

they call Net, 
I've been her beau a whole year — 'nd I'll 

tell her so yet. 
Sam Frost said he liked her, but he better 

keep still. 
If I can't lick 'im, myself — why then I'll 

get Bill. 

Ain't I so glad I'm back here again. 
Back with you foolish kids, who want to 
be men. 

Now you boys 'nd you girls come out under 

this tree, 
After "Ring round rose," then listen to 

me. 




Ain't I so glad I'm back here again. ' 
121 



A BOY AGAIN. 123 

I was a man very rich, it is told 

Lived in a mansion — had diamonds and 

gold, 
Had horses and servants, went to plays — 

everything, 
And four or five times, I dined with a 

king. 
They didn't prove pleasures, but burdens 

to me; 
I was weary and tired, till I met a kind 

Fairy 
Who said, "What'll you take for your 

wealth and your joy?'' 
"Here, mother, take all, and just make 

me a bov. " 



She looked in my eyes, and soon I could 

see 
A honey sweet sleep, jes tryin' to steal 
Me away — O everything ! Sweet scented 

flowers; then I saw 
A little gold chariot the butterflies draw, 
'Nd I melted and melted so awfully 

small, 
If a lily dropped on me I would smash — 

that's all. 



124 A BOY AGAIN. 

'Nd kind Mother Fairy took a wee diamond 

pin 
From the hair of the driver, 'nd' put me 

right in 
'Nd back in her hair. 
"Go back to the boy — tell the children 

take care." 



I've learned a few things — I'll tell them to 

you; 
I'd be jes as I am the whole of life through. 
I'd not change a bit, not even my clothes, 
Not even my shoes with them holes in the 

toes. 
Just take that old hat with no band on at all 
I'd rather have that than a silk one so tall, 
Which some people wear jest to make 'em 

look fair 
But when you deal with 'em — no honesty 

there 
'Nd you girls better stay jes where you are 
With that bloom on your cheeks you can 

kiss 'nd not mar. 
Now when you cry, you think it does smart, 
But wait till you're bigger 'nd jes cry 

from the heart. 



A BOY AGAIN. 



125 



Now when you laugh, it makes you feel 
good, 

But then you must smile, and you'd cry 
if you could. 

I've told you enough of mother Fairy to- 
day, 

Let's just be contented to study and play. 



WHAT DO WE WANT? 

What do we want? — Want anything 
That you can say or do to bring 
Another smile upon the face — 
Another little resting-place 
For those who toil so hard each day. 
I'd offer them a little more pay. 
They want some fruits of labor, too; 
Are the millions for the few? 
Want business men that are not afraid 
When they speak — of losing trade. 
This matter lies with you and me, 
In what we want we must agree. 



What do we want in church and 

school ? 
Want independence — want no tool, 
Want you all — try and reach 
Our daily need; then preach and teach 
The school and congregation, too, 
To think themselves, to act with you, 

127 



128 WHAT DO WE WANT? 

They will do it only when 

You show them just what does depend 

On each ; for all have pride 

To do their best when satisfied 

They get credit for their share. 

We should notice each; it's onlv fair. 



What do we want? We want to know 
Each other — we want to grow 
Humbler, kinder, with less pride; 
To accomplish we must be allied. 
There's too much of rotten thought — 
We should be classified by "What we 

got." 
We want less talk about the past, 
We want less living a little too fast; 
We want folks know — at the best 
Life is but a fleeting breath. 
We want each to understand 
There's nothing real, nor good, nor 

grand 
In this life but doing right. 
All other deeds will be but blight 
In our life — when we know 
It's our time for us to go 




■I'd offer them a little more pay." 



WHAT DO WE WANT? 131 

To feed the worms; it matters not 
Beauty — grace, will mold and rot — 
Let's bid all wrong, "Avaunt! Avaunt!'' 
Let reason guide — that's what we want. 



SOMETHING YOU DON T COUNT ON. 

I want to talk to you, young folks, 

'Nd tell you what you'll find 
Travelin' the rocky road of life, 

I want to jes take down the blind 
So you can peep in at experience 

Of an old feller jes like me. 
Perhaps it'll do ye good 

If ye could only see 
Somethin' that I didn't know 

'Till after I'd gone 
A little too far to back out — 

Somethin' I didn't count on. 

Of course you want to 

Sow wild oats and to go the round, 
Everything will go all right 

Companions can be found. 
They will call you a good fellow, 

And drink your health, away 
Purty soon, and you'll awake, 

In time to hear 'em say: 

133 



134 SOMETHING YOU DON'T 

"There's a fellow that's a fool, 
Of wine and women fond,' ' 
And it's certain you will land, 
Yes, where you didn't count on. 



When you go into business 

Everything'll look clear. 
For makin' money awful fast. 

But ye better to prepare. 
For lots o' things'll soon happen. 

Ye didn't think of before. 
Experienced fellows'll come along 

And land ye on the floor. 
They will be sure to beat you bad. 

Them fellqrs they call a "Con"; 
'Nd ye'll be signing somethin', 

Somethin' ye didn't count on. 

There's Sally Ann dressed so gay, 

All that girl did think 
Was to flirt around all day, 

'Nd ter laugh and wink 
At Bill Hawkins' hired hand, 

'Nd criticisin' other folks, 
'Cause they have so many children, 

'Nd jes sits round and pokes 



COUNT ON. 135 

Lots of fun at ragged children, 
While they set upon the lawn, 

But she's found out since she's mar- 
ried, 

There's ragged children she didn't 
count on. 



MOTHER'S BEST SOCIETY. 

O mother, if I'd taken your advice, 

I'd have no need to cry 
In my room that's made so lonety, 

By each bitter sigh. 
When I left your own dear side 

"My daughter," you said to me, 
"Remember that plain and honest 
people 

Are the best societv. " 



I loved my mother — but I thought, 

After I was in school awhile, 
The better class were those with money, 

And knew how to fling on style. 
I attended reception — party — ball, 

Fashion was my world — you see 
Ignoring plain and honest people, 

"Mother's best societv." 



137 



138 MOTHER'S BEST SOCIETY. 

O, Mother, what you said so true — 

They did talk and act so sweet. 
And to-night must I go 

With those whose life is vain deceit. 
The party dress — the brooch — the ring, 

These poisoned dies, to look charmingly. 
How gladly I would trade them all 

For "Mother's best society." 

That handsome fellow — bewitching eyes, 

Whom we call the charming boy. 
Who never had a pure thought — 

He's the social star, that decoys 
Each budding flower, yes each dupe 

By his sweetened flattery. 
Curse them all and let me go 

With "Mother's best society." 

There's two girls coming now, 

One is rich and one is poor. 
They are studious — pure — simple-minded, 

Sunshine from their souls do pour. 
I'll invite them in each day 

And take them home with me, 
How proud will be my dear old mother 

In "Her best society." 




Half dreaming, half thinking, of life 



THE DREAMER'S AWAKENING. 

While quietly seated in my chamber 

alone, 
Half dreaming, half thmking, of life as a 

foam. 
And how we are bought and how we are 

sold, 
My only glad thought— I was nearing the 

goal; 
Nearing that time when old King Decay 
Would just come and claim me, and take 

me away — 
Away to that shore they call the Un- 
known — 
And all those who suffer, I'll leave them 

alone.' 
What can I do in that fight against 

wrong — 
A weakling like me against that great 

throng 
Is soon thrust aside or told I must hush. 
So I humbly subdue and go with the rush. 

141 



142 THE DREAMER'S 

Human nature at best is prone to lust, 
And cankerous deceit eats out the just; 
One in the crowd — Hke a drop in the seas. 
Let the banner of wrong unfurl in the 
breeze. 

I heard a loud laugh — took my hand from 

my head, 
Threw down my feet, and a volume half 

read, 
Went to the window — through the lattice 

could see 
Sweet little faces, just smiling with glee. 
Even the mother with a child tagging there. 
Hung out her clothes while she lullabyed 

care. 
Down through the long lane came some 

boys on the run, 
And with them old Carlow was enjoying 

the fun. 

Over the fence the newsboy just threw 
Fresh news of the morning, and was 

whistling too. 
One of those airs that makes life so gay, 
And we all try the chorus when the show 

goes away. 



AWAKENING. 143 

I put on my hat — went out in the street, 
'Nd I walked, 'nd I walked for I wanted 

to meet 
Some person, some face — didn't know who, 
As I sauntered along — "George, is that 

you?' ' 



And at the same time on my shoulder did 

feel 
The hand of some person, and as I half 

wheeled 
Round, and faced a man standing there; 
He was a stranger except his eyes and hair. 
We exchanged glances and words — as you 

all have done 
With your friend in the city — while half 

on the run. 
"Aint your name George Brown?'' — half 

doubting^ half sure. 
"That is my name,'' and "I've seen you 

before." 

"My name is Jim Sax, the son of old 

Joe, 
I came from New York just ten years 

ago." 



144 THE DREAMER'S 

"Old Captain Joe.'' Of course I knew 

him, 
"And you are his son, my dear old chum 

Jim. 
Give me that hand again — God bless you 

old man. 
What are you doing — say how can 
I help kissing you — you grown up boy; 
Where shall we go — you treasure — you 

joy." 
We walked and we talked 'till luncheon 

time came 
About olden times — you've done the 

same. 
"I must get back to my business,'' said 

he. 
And we said in chorus, "You must come 

and see me.' ' 
After luncheon was over I hurried back 

home 
Thinking of old Jim, and how folks will 

roam 
And how we'd laugh — when we meet 

again 
'Bout our old sweethearts who married 

old men. 




'Nd drauk in the sunshine. 



AWAKENING. 147 

Went up to the room — opened tlie shutte.rs 

up some, 
'Nd drank in the sunshine just as fast as 

she'd come. 
What is the use of me feehng blue 
With smiles all around me and old Jimmy 

too? 
Everything in that room was filled with 

new life 
And all that was needed was a sweet 

little wife, 
And little curly-locks would be all right, 

I guess — 
But hold on old fellow or I'm afraid you'll 

confess. 

I guess the same power that steered Jim 

to me 
Gave me a boost and helped me to see 
That the sweet little girl — who borrows 

my books 
And who talks, and who talks, while I feed 

on her looks 
Don't throw out them smiles so killingly 

sweet — 
For some old dead author — she never did 

meet. 



148 THE DREAMER'S 

Wasn't it strange? There was a note and 

her card — 
"Please come down, Mr. Brown, this book 

is so hard — 
'Nd you know so much, 'nd you're so good 
I hated to ask you, but I just knew you 

would, 
I told my mamma all about you, 
'Nd she thinks you're just lovely — honest, 

she do. 
You'll remember the number — six hun- 
dred and eight 
On Calumet Street, and I'll just wait 
For I'm dying to know 
All about Shakespeare — honest, 'tis so. 
You'll excuse me, I pray, for this long 

note — 
Say you won't be mad — just because that 

I wrote? 
I couldn't talk to you 'fraid I would blush. 
Good-bye, Mr. Brown, Yours truly, May 

Rush." 



May Rush, well I should just say. 
This is my chance and I'll rush the dear 
May. 



AAVAKEXING. 149 

Where were my senses — why couldn't I 

see 
Those sparkhng eyes — illumed bright 

for me. 
I looked at the clock and saw it was 

three ; 
I won't do a thing, but fix up and see 
How fine and how nice I can make myself 

look; 
No m.ore "old bachelor'' too long on the 

hook. 
I took out ten shirts, but none would just 

do- 
Either torn a bit or a little spot or two. 
I looked at my hat and my shoes and my 

tie, 
And for the first time they looked shabby — 

in my one eye. 
One thing I had would certainly suit 
Was my best suit of clothes — they were 

handsome — yes cute. 
How lucky I was they were finished that 

day. 
Thought I got 'em for winter — guess I got 

'em for "Mav.' ' 



I50 THE DREAMER'S 

Passing the window I noticed just then, 
Aboy,andI hollowed,"OJohnny— a— Ben— " 
He looked up at me, "Come here Httle man, 
I've got something for you,' ' and boy-like 

he ran. 
"You're a nice little fellow — how old are 

you? 
Do you go to school — and your teacher is 

who?" 
"Yes sir; I'm twelve; I'm younger than 

Bess; 
But I'm bigger 'n her^'cause I grow faster, 

I guess. 



"'Nd she just beat me in her classes, you 

know. 
Cause she's just little — when I started to 

go; 
I don't like my teacher — 'cause Bess is 

her pet 
Jes 'cause she can spell longer words than 

I can spell yet.' ' 
"Now you stay right there" — and I sat 

down and wrote 
The things that I wanted, and gave him 

the note, 



AWAKENING. 



1=^1 



And fifty cents, too, — very liberal that 

time — 
He can thank May — for forty — me for the 

dime. 



After tumbling and shuffling for three 
hours or more, 

A thousand times to mirror — to scan my- 
self o'er, 

I never looked so young and so fresh, so 
they say 

As when I had finished to see my dear 
May. 

Went down to the house and saw her dear 
ma. 

Although I looked good, I felt awfully raw ; 

In my new suit of clothes with my new 
mother in-law — 

Just like all the rest, she had plenty of jaw. 

May tumbled at last — in the parlor we 

went — 
She took down the album, which over we 

bent. 
She showed me all of her family tree, 
Or at least all that I wanted to see. 



152 THE DREAMER'S 

"Please play something on the piano,'' 

said 1 — 
"Now you know I can't play, but I'll just 

try- 
Don't laugh — I'll try this new piece — for 

you anyway.' ' 
You girls say the same and practice all 

day. 



"Now Miss Rush, bring your book here, 
And turn to the page you want me make 

clear.' ' 
She took " Old Shak' ' down, but the print 

was so fine 
I intuitively drew her chair toward mine; 
She turned to the scene of Juliet fair, 
Weeping o'er the body of Romeo there. 
" 'Nd why did Mr. Shakespeare end his 

plays so 
Tragic — so awful for those that love so? 
Say, Mr. Brown, don't you think Mr. 

Shakespeare was mean 
That he didn't wake 'em up in the sleep 

scene ? 
I'm in love with a stranger whom mamma 

don't know, 



AWAKENING. 153 

I don't want any Capulet and ]\Iontague 

show. 
Say, "Sir. Brown, read this,' ' she said, 
And at the same tnne leaned her soft 

silken head 
Nearer to me — she turned the page 'bout 

half way 
Her fingers touched mine and I just let 'em 

stay 
Right where they were — well I didn't 

care; 
They didn't feel heavy, but divine I de- 
clare. 
The verse that I read was on the page that 

she held — 
Our faces were as close as iron you 

weld. 
"Say, ]\Ir. — ^Ir. Brown, don't you think 

it was sad?' ' 
It had gone far enough, for we both had it 

bad. 
I suppose I acted nervous and shy for my 

age- 
After the first kiss o^ love — how romantic — 

engaged. 



154 THE DREAMER'S 

Romantic, you'll say — when I told her of 

Jim 
'Nd found her sister had divorced him — 
Curtain that scene from my sight O, I 

pray — 
Say! Father in Heaven, won't you veil it 

away? 
A fatherless child — sunken eyes — broken 

heart, 
The wrecks of true love, that slander did 

part. 
I'm wicked I know, but Christ heard that 

prayer, 
"Undeaden Jim's heart, and put the truth 

there. 
Show him that look that I saw in her 

face 
That sweet look of innocence, that no 

wrong can deface. 
Give me all power when I go to Jim — 
Sing from the Heavens that beautiful 

hymn — 

" * Lead kindly light amid the encircling 
gloom, 

Lead Thou me on ; 
The night is dark, and I am far from home; 

Lead Thou me on.' " 



AWAKENING. 155 

How sweet the wedding chimes, upon the 

evening air; 
You've heard of two hearts that beat as 

one; 
But four as one beat there. 
Now in that same chamber where I was 

blue that day, 
The banner of right is waving — the wrong 

is far away. 



WOODEN BRIDGES. 

My boy and girl, when you were small 

Just a little tot, 

We have done things that we hadn't ought. 

Nothing bad, but reckless like. 

Such as walking o'er a stream 

Seeing who could come the nearest 

To the edge of some old beam. 

Or seeing how far we could climb 

Out on some small limb, 

Or may be in deep water 

Daring someone out to swim. 

Then we've been walking wooden bridges — 

But children I love you so 

I want to warn you cf some bridges 

Over which you must not go. 



You each day are building bridges 
Strong as steel or weak as wood; 
Wooden pillars are evil actions, 
Metal footing are the good. 

157 



158 WOODEN BRIDGES. 

Each of you through Ufe must travel 
The bridge you build to-day ; 
O ! be careful of its structure 
Else some day you'll fall away — 
Fall into the raging torTent 
Where fierce white-caps await you, 
And you'll be mangled on the ledges 
For little things to-day you do. 



How do you treat father — mother, 

That will often tell; 

Are you chiseling lines of sorrow 

On her face who loves you well? 

Are you "larger" than your father? 

Then my child you'll rue 

For some day without a warning 

Your bridge will fall and let you through. 

Nothing can be gained, my children, 

By turning from the right ; 

Look at people all about you 

Examples in your sight. 

I want to see each one of you 

Build your bridge of steel, 

All the world can stand upon it, 

And how safe you'll feel. 



I CRIED MYSELF TO SLEEP LAST 
NIGHT. 

I cried myself to sleep last night 

My heart felt bitter pain. 
He did not sting me with the words 

We must not meet again. 
I cried myself to sleep last night, 

For I loved him so; 
He never called me darling 

Or whispered words of love. 



I cried myself to sleep last night, 

For him I chanced to meet 
And with a smile I tried to win. 

And bring him to my feet. 
I cried myself to sleep last night 

For I loved him so; 
He never called me darling, 

Or whispered words of love. 



159 



i6o I CRIED MYSELF 

I cried myself to sleep last night 

With a broken heart; 
It seemed that when our eyes had met 

We ne'er again should part. 
I cried myself to sleep last night, 

For I loved him so; 
He never called me darling 

Or whispered wdrds of love. 



It was but a woman's maddening love, 

That brought pangs to my breast; 
My dearest friend stood in the way 

Of him I loved the best. 
I cried myself to sleep last night. 

Far I loved him so; 
He never called me darling, 

Or whispered words of love. 



I cried myself to sleep last night, 

As the wedding chime 
Told me that I'd lost my love, 

For a whole life time. 
The wedding march brought forth my smile 

As I stood bv his bride. 



TO SLEEP LAST NIGHT. i6i 

But in my heart a funeral dirge — 

For my own love had died. 
I cried myself to sleep last night, 

For I loved him so ; 
He never called me darling, 

Or whispered words of love. 




LiUle Rosa Lee. 



LITTLE ROSA LEE. 

So, boys, you think I'm homesick, 

Because I'm sad and still; 

W-e-1-1, I've been thinking of my trip, 

And one thing seems to fill 

My old heart with tenderness — 

And such a little thing — 

But it softens so my nature 

More 'en buds or birds that sing. 

Yes — boys — it was a girl, that captivated 

me, 
And I was thinking what I might have been 
If I had sweet Rosa Lee. 

She always used to smile so sweet 
Before I went away, 
And come into my office 
Almost eyery day. 

Our love was just as pure, as sacramental 
wine. 



165 



i66 LITTLE ROSA LEE. 

I gave her many presents, but she never 

wrote a hne. 
No new suitor had estranged us, 
For it was plain to see 
Those sparkling eyes flashed out the love 
Of little Rosa Lee. 



There was something in her life 
That spoke of love divine, 
What heart buds blossom brighter, 
Than a loving child just nine. 
O, mother — father with your child 
Don't you pity me — 
What is life without the care 
Of little Rosa Lee. 



JOSIAH'S EXCUSE. 

Why, howdy do, and how are you:* O my, 

I've been detained; 
I was so 'fraid I couldn't be here to shout 

in freedom's name! 
You see I'm kind er nervous hke— stage 

fright, vou may say, 
But I'd a hot time leavm' home, and hotter 

on the way. 
I s'pose you'd Hke to know how all this 

came about. 
And now I'll try to explain before I begm 
to spout. 

When your committee rote to me 'bout 

this speech of mine. 
My wife, Cleopatra, said she see I'd have a 

suit just tine. 
And often I'd rit and rote, and rit and rit 

and rote again. 
Then I'd rub some out, then I'd put some 

in, 

167 



i68 JOSIAH'S EXCUSE. 

Cleopatra said, "How fine! You rite like 

Jefferson! " 
Then I'd tell her to be still — you know 

you're makin' fun. 
Rite like Jeffdrson! yes, " I don't think;" 
Old "Jeff" he used a quill — me, a pen and 

ink. 
And after I got it all boiled down, and 

summed up all the fights, 
Cleopatra shouted, "That 's hot, you can 

bet your stars and stripes!" 
Now look-a-here, I shall not bet my stars 

and stripes away ; 
Fo»r when I get into town, you'll hear the 

people say, 
"There's the man who lost our flag — he 

gambled it away. " 



When I got up this mornin', I almost had 

a trance; 
My coat and vest was all O K — but you'd 

orter seen my pants:! 
Too big? Say, you've seen them er bloomer 

girls when their limbs had too much 

bloom ? 



JOSIAH'S EXCUSE. 169 

You've seen the dear little dudelet when 

his legs had too much room? 
You've seen them er sick fellows who came 

back from the war, 
And noticed how their clothes would fit, 

when they'd been stout afore? 
You've seen the Mother Hubbard girl, 

whose dress filled up the room? 
And you've felt like telling her, "My girl, 

yer plucked too soon!" 
And now you've some idee of me a standin' 

there, 
And if I couldn't see my pants, I'd swear 

my limbs were bare! 
But when my wife and two big girls got at 

that pants— by gee ! 
'Twasn't an hour before she'd fit like the 

paper — don't you see? 
And then they hustled 'round the room and 

got everything just so — 
You'd think I had two speeches — like a 

feller at I know, 
Them kars v/as bout three miles away 

that brought me to your town. 
And then a dress rehearsal — you orter seen 

me get around! 



I70 JOSIAH'S EXCUSE. 

I took across the pasture and struck a big 

oak tree, 
Threw down my speech and shouted, 

"Feller citizens! We are free!" 
I named over all the battles I could think 

of — and some more, 
And told them how we licked John Bull 

and spilt the British gore; 
I shouted to that audience — of cattle 

standin' there. 
And told 'em, "It's a corker how Johnny 

took the scare. " 
That remark gave offense to a feller, I 

could see; 
For he made one dive in m}^ direction — and 

I lit right up that tree ! 
Now you can tell why I am here without 

my speech — I guess, 
But if you'll go back after it — why — I'll 

finish my address! 




Heard some boys tellin' 



ELOCUTIONARY MAN. 

Heard some boys tellin' what they were 
goin' to do. 

They say that I am simple, and over- 
grown too. 

"I want to be a doctor,'' said little Will 
Brow^n ; 

"I want to be a lawyer,'' and so thev all 
go round. 

1 am goin' to fool 'em all, you jest wait 
and see, 

Fer an elocutionary man is what I'm 
goin' to be. 

I want to be jest like him who came to our 

town, 
'Nd let us boys in free, fer passin' bills 

around. 
'Nd sellin' tickets to church folks, and say 

"Half is fer the poor.'' 
Pa said, "I judge all 'es by the ^Prince 

A' — the speaker wore." 

173 



174 ELECUTIONARY MAN. 

All us fellers set in front, and old women 

just come in 
Who wouldn't go to other shows, cause it 

is a sin. 
I'll try and make a face like him, so just 

look at me. 
Per an elocutionary man is what I'm 

goin' to be. 



He don't need no opera-house; he can 
show most anywhere 

Churches, schools, new barns, cheese fac- 
tories, open air. 

I'm goin' to try the ravin' act, a disap- 
pointed " Dad.' ' 

"Go — go — leave my sight, you've cursed 
me, made me mad! 

What have I done? What have I done? 
O! Nora, what have I said' 

Driven my only child from home; ah! ah! 
would that I were dead." 

Of course I'm only foolin', for a dead man's 
worse, by gee', 

Than an elocutionary man like I want to 
be. 



ELOCUTIONARY MAN. 175 

We travel cheaper than the rest, fer one's 

the whole blame show, 
I'm goin' to play Uncle Tom's Cabin, fer 

that is bound to go. 
I will be Massa, Massa George, and Little 

Eva who does say 
"Come, Uncle Tom, come in the garden 

and play." 
Then I'd be old Mark, who sits down just 

so, 
"I got the law and the power, and power 

and law you know.' ' 
I'll be the quaker too, who helps Eliza in 

her flight, 
'Til be tee-totally chawed up, if Idon't get 

that woman across to-night." 
I'll be the little kid with his poqr mamma. 
And tell the quaker, "No, sir; I don't 

chaw — " 
One feller I'd hate to be 'nd say " Blast 

your old black soul," 
Like that bad Si Legree, 
When I'm an elocutionary man, like I 

want to be. 




American Knigrht. 



AMERICAN KNIGHT. 

With rich and wilting plumes, 

And glittering array 
Of shining sword and buckles, 

In olden day, 
A gallant knight with warlike armour 

Prayed to wed his lady-love 
By daring bravery, and to her said: 

"Oh, lady fair, lend listening ear 
To me who kneel, 

While I, with defective language, 
My love for you reveal. 

What magic in thine eyes 
When first we met, pray tell. 

That made me feel to win you was my 
heaven ; 
To lose you was my hell. 

To court a single smile 
Have I not bocked a hundred dashing 
adversaries. 

That you may hear the common 
talk. 

179 



i8o AMERICAN KNIGHT. 

Oh, lady, how oft have I used my gold 
as dross. 
To please your finer senses — at any 
cost.' ' 



Our gladiator who pauses and strikes 

Like a polar bear, 
He, too, is " dead game " poor boy, 

For some lady fair; 
While on the field — how fierce 

He seemed to grow 
When some college girl waved her ker- 
chief, 
Screaming " Go.' ' 
With straining eyes and shout — so 
loud — 
She madly jumps ten steps at once — 
And rushing through the crowd 

Embracing him — bleeding, limping, 
lame — 
What care we for fractured heads 
since we won the game? 
A reception, Charlie, dearest, for your 
team to-night! 




In the parlor they were seated. 



AMERICAN KNIGHT. 183 

Say, you're a peacherine, you kicked 
her out of sight. 



In the parlor they were seated 
Closer than I care to tell; 

Another maiden's heart was gladdened 
All because he kicked so well. 



TALKING OUT LOUD. 



Back in my school days 

There was a Sam Hill; 
He disturbed the school every way. 

It seemed that he wouldn't, or couldn't 
keep still; 
And one night the teacher did say 

"I have concluded that you are not 
right, 
And if you'd stayed home and plowed 

We'd never have known 
Your head was so light — but we do — 

Since you've been talking out loud.'' 



Teacher and scholars no more I'll see, 
But that saying I'll never forget — 

On the street — in the car — incessantly 
There's a lot of Hill's showing off yet. 



185 



i86 TALKING OUT LOUD. 

There's Mr. Adviser, who talks every- 
where, 
His voice can be heard in each crowd; 
You will find his trouble — right under his 
hair — 
He's a case of talking out loud. 



There's the young traveling-man — de- 
cidedly new, 
Who monopolize all the hotel. 
There's the chattering box in society, 
too, 
Great Gods! but don't they both 
yell? 
It's the old case of Burns and his louse 

And the woman in church so proud; 
They think it is wisdom entertaining the 
house. 
But it's an idiot talking out loud — . 



To preach or to teach — entertain — are you 
fit? 

If so, start up a school; 
You'd look real well in a pulpit, 

Join a show, and act out the fool. 



TALKING OUT LOUD. 187 

But don't go around with a lot of cheap 

For the police should be allowed 
To put you right safely under the lock — 
You people, always talking out loud. 



MY LOVE. 

My love — of you I will write, 
Not Rosalind, Gertrude or Sue, 

Only one has my heart ? 
Ah no, each noble woman 
With passion of love — I love you — 

Each has a part. 
Let them upbraid you who may 
Because their own suit was denied 

I will not. 
Ah! man, with your selfish desires 
You look at this matter one side, 

And you thought 
Every woman designing 
Because little bright eyes 

Changed- her affections — 
And told you, as you would tell her 
And now — you all woman despise 

Because — your rejection. — 
No petty quarrel with mad fanc}^ 
Can change my great love for your name 

Nothing can mar 

189 




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In the sunshine ot hfe. 



MY LOVE. 191 

They can tell me about your shortcoming 
But women — I love — just the same 
As vou are. 



If love begets love as was taught me 
Then to every woman a love debt I owe 
Regardless of sin. 

In the sunshine of life Sweet girlhood 
You thought men so noble, I know; 

Have they been? 
To - day in your wretchedness — poor 

woman — 
I see you with Christ at the well. 

What's He saying? 
Go where the shadows are falling 
To her in that vast prison cell 

Say I'm praying 
For some one whose days are all dark- 
ness 
And whose young life was gentler than dew. 

You're better to-day 
Than the woman that scorns 
And entertains the assassin of you, 

A cast away. 




You who fight sin hand to hand. 



MY LOVE. 193 

God pity you — fair minglers of scandal, 
Stamping your own sex with shame 

You should love. 
Don't turn away, see how love changed her 
Not me, but his name 

Who's above. 



I love the strong-minded woman, 
They say you're out of your place; 
But I'm sure its time for youa: hearing 
Or they'll forget you belong to the race. 

Wait no more. 
Speak out — assert the rights of a woman 
You who are ladened with care 

I love you too 
Because you make sin very nervous 
When you act with your prayer 

Like you do. 
Oh, noble, kind-hearted good woman, 
You who fight sin hand to hand 

Your life consecrated to right 
In the recesses of my heart — So cowardly — 
Heaven knows of a love more than grand, 

Sister stand in the fight. 



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\\ uman of beauty, 



MY LOVE 195 

Woman of beauty, I stagger with love 
At your form, your figure, your grace. 

Your soft lillied arm 
And that rosy red fiusli, 
The sweet smile that dimples your face. 

Neck curved to charm 
Buoying your soft silken hair 
Displaying an exquisite taste. 

Call it vanity. 
I never grow weary — the rustle of skirts 
And the grace of your movement in haste. 

Ah, sweet humanity 1 
Yes, the maiden with longings and dream- 

ings. 
Swelling bosom, hot kisses and sighs, 

Yes, voluptuously, 
I'm in love with your feverish passion; 
Your love song — your melting blue eyes — 

Feed my gallantry. 



Now, loved one, bring me the toast cup, 
When I say love — that means you — 
But stay — if it is filled with the rich racy 

Vv^ine — 
Bring nothing so false — so untrue — 
Fling it away. 



196 MY LOVE 

Go where wild flowers are blooming 
At the base of some old oaken tree. 

There the goblet fill up 
With fresh sparkling water 
And loved one — bring it to me. 

Now let me sup 
To my love, who fills the world with 

ambition, 
Purity, sweetness and grace, 

Queen, may you reign 
O'er this great land 
Till you drive every sin from each place 

Leaving no stain. 



YOUTH. 



Ah! youth, how soundly do you sleep, 
Life's dream is o'er, you're at the feet 
Of all tenderness and all love, 
Looking? at vou from above. 



Friend do not say, gone too soon. 
Death, when it comes, is but a boon 
To them who go— and we who stay- 
Have no fear— he's shut away 
From all sin, and grief and care. 
No more sorrow — no more to bear — 
Words and books that men do write 
Take away — put out of sight. 
Men are erring and so weak. 
Come with m_e — let us seek 
And look upon His face once more 
Who died for all— Then I'm sure 
Surcease there we will find 
For that youth so good and kind. 

Hi * * * * 

197 




Youth. 



YOUTH. 20 

Come, sister — brother — come away, 
Linger not — it's but clay you're gazing on. 
The loving brother — he has gone — 
Rejoicing, singing on his way 

"I would not live alway, 
I ask not to stay 
Where storm after storm rises 
Dark o'er the way." 



TIME TO KILL. 

Say my dear children 

Do you want to see, 
When you grow up 

What you're going to be? 
See that young man 

Who gets the best pay, 
Always industrious. 

Never idle a day. 
See that young girl 

Who don't feel above 
Helping her mother, 

We can't help but love. 
You with good standing 

Their places will fill, 
For in their school days 

No time did they kill. 

You who whisper 

And idly let 
Your time pass by — 

Say "Teacher got pets." 

203 



204 TIME TO KILL. 

Yes — they are pets, 

And will always be too; 
You'll take a back seat 

The whole of life through. 
You'll be as much like 'em 

As the seeds that you till 
Will be like its growth 

Because time did you kill. 



Take a glance at yourself 

When you grow old; 
High standing brings wealth 

Position and gold. 
Not one of you scholars 

Expects to be poor, 
And live upon charity 

Like xhe tramps at your door. 
They were once children. 

But they waited until 
Their chances were dead 

Because time did thev kill. 



LOVERS ON THE 'PHONE. 

Did 3^ou ever ring up "Central' '? 

When you wanted some one quick! 
But there was talking on the line, 

That almost made you sick? 
You wait a few minutes, 

You wonder who it is 
That's talking awful silly, 

And you forget your "biz'' — 
Hello — Centeral— Hello, 

You say in an undertone, 
'' H ello— hello— hello— " 

To the lover on the 'phone. 

You know it's not your party, 

When you hear a sweet " hello,' ' 
Then you sing out " It's me," 

Then she unwinds, you know. 
"Hello — hello — hello. Charley, 

Where were you last night ? 
Don't you think you fooled me? 

I was right there in sight.' ' 

205 



2o6 LOVERS ON THE PHONE. 

Why — now you want to know, 
And you lower your tone, 

Thinking you will fool 

The "lover on the 'phone." 



You can take that nice widow. 

It's all off — yes — to-day. 
You'll look fine together, 

Charley and his little May." 
Now you're more tickled 

And you have grown 
Interested in the story. 

Of the "lover on the 'phone." 

" Charley you had better not 

Come down on Monday night, 
Have made other arrangements 

With a drummer — 'out of sight. 
Say — did we have a hot old time ? 

Say — but ain't he swell? 
They took us to the opera — 

Wouldn't I catch — well, 
I don't want to say — 

But if it's ever known 
To Mr. Gates' ' — you recognize 

The "lover on the 'phone.'' 



LOVERS ON THE 'PHONE. 207 

Say — you got lots of fun 

By sticking in your nose, 
Like all of curious listeners 

Not as funny — as you suppose. 
You didn't laugh so much, 

When she said "Tra-la-la-" 
You sighed a few little sighs, 

And breathed a long a-h. 
Why you are Gates that's listening. 

That sweet girl is your own. 
How many broken hearts there'd be, 

If w^e all loved on the 'phone. 



WHEN FRIENDS ARE DEAD. 

O ! Death ! O ! Death ! you startle me 
Injured — Death — Fatality. 
Gone, yes gone back to earth. 
Intelligence — you shroud all mirth! 
So suddenly my. heart is still 
At him lying there, so sad and still 
In his tomb, without a ray — 
Back again to wasting clay! 
To-night; to-night; a tear I shed — 
Who does not — when friends are dead? 

I knew he was a friend to me 
Befriending all humanity. 
O! tabernacle of vile earth 
More precious now, of greater worth 
For holding such a soul within 
As we know, his soul has been. 
A life as gentle as the babe 
With them, too, I see you laid 
In their soft and rosy bed — 
God is good when friends are dead. 

209 



2IOWHEN FRIENDS ARE DEAD. 

Your life was simple, and so true — 
That plainer life which we see through 
With no vanity would blend ; 
Constant — always could depend — 
No one great, no one small. 
By the right he measured all. 
A golden life, without alloy — 
Such as you, lends but joy 
To me, to all — to Heaven that said 
"Trust in me' ' when friends are dead, 



Farewell'. Farewell! my friend has gone 
But, as you journey on and on, 
Stay, — but a tick of God's all time — 
And, v/ell, step as perfect rhyme 
That grand march in Eternity 
Arm in arm — my friend and me — 
And you — and you — in that fair land 
Will join the earthly perfect man. 
Christ is saying — I'm ahead — 
Every time, when friends are dead. 



THE PRIEST. 

Father, I've been thinking 

Of your power and your care;. 
With such ease you did impart 

Nobleness to all there. 
Ah, no small prejudice is youis; 

You have the world at heart ; 
You place me near the living Christ; 

Would each exhorter play youi pari 



211 



NAME THE BABY AFTER ME. 

A President I want to be, 

For reasons of my own. 
Promise you will vote for me, 

And I will make them known. 
It's not that I want men to say 

"He couldn't tell a lie.'' 
Because I tell lies every day. 

Or that I made the chips to fly, 
Like our Father Abraham 

Just a puffin' in the wood, 
For I will admit 

For work — I am no good. 
Or like Old Andrew Johnson, 

With no schoolin' not a bit. 
Till his .young wife would say, 

"Come Andrew, and spell "it.' 
Have got no desire 

To point back to the time, 
And say, '^By Gosh, wasn't I poor, 

I didn't have a dime." 

213 



2i6 NAME THE BABY AFTER ME. 

But wouldn't I be tickled, 

If I could only see, 
All the little babys 

Named after me. 
It's not because I care about 

The dailies floatin' round, 
To have myself all pictured out 

In the cabin where they found 
Me with my sister's apron on 

While the chickens watched me 
churn. 
With a book upon my knee, 

I was so keen to learn. 
It's not because I want the people. 

Who never speak to me 
Always lookin' o'er the steeple 

When poor folks they see. 
Scrapin' up some relation 

My family creepin' in. 
Offering their congratulation 

If I happen just to win. 
I believe I'd think more 

Of the heathen Chinee, 
If I could be sure they'd name 

Their little pig-tails after me. 
It's not because I long to see 

All the people hail, 



NAME THE BABY AFTER ME. 217 

And at the train the people cheer 

Me a speakin' from the tail; 
It's not reform in any way 

I have to offer you — 
Your women could dress any way, 

You man could smoke and chew. 
But when the papers tell about 

A ten pound girl or boy, 
Mother — baby doing well, 

That's when I'd have my joy. 
See " sweet girls' ' droppin' in— 

"O, my! just see his hair, 
See the dimples in his cheeks, 
Aint his skin so fair?" 



It's not because I want to go. 

To Washington, D. C, 
To try to be the whole blame show, 

In high society. 
I really haven't much desire 

To pass the plums around. 
Boosting some one higher. 

To put another down. 
Remember I'm no candidate 

For faction or for party. 



2i8 NAME THE BABY AFTER ME. 

Put me down on every slate, 
Then support me hearty. 

I don't want no family fuss, 
Want all men to agree, 

That all the little babies 
Shall be named after me. 



NOV 17 1902 



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